Tavern planned for long-vacant space near proposed Bucks arena

The long-vacant first floor of a historic building near the proposed Milwaukee Bucks arena would be renovated for a new tavern under plans filed with the city.

Wisconsin Cheese Mart operator Ken McNulty owns the three-story building at 1109-1111 N. Old World 3rd St. and said Thursday he plans to begin work within the next few weeks on its renovations. McNulty hopes to have the 2,000-square-foot tavern open by February.

McNulty said he decided to redevelop the building's first floor after the Bucks' owners announced plans in April for the new arena, to be built north of the BMO Harris Bradley Center, and an open-air entertainment center, including taverns and restaurants, at what is now the site of a parking structure at N. 4th St. and W. Highland Ave.

The building also has an apartment on each of its two upper floors, which will remain, said McNulty, who has owned the Wisconsin Cheese Mart at 215 W. Highland Ave. for 12 years.

McNulty's plans to improve the building's exterior will be reviewed by the city Historic Preservation Commission at its Monday meeting. The changes need commission approval.

He plans to replace the storefront with folding doors that will allow the front of the building to be open during warm weather, add new side entry doors, and install a new awning, according to the proposal.

The commission also will review proposed changes to a vacant two-story building at 1023 N. Old World 3rd St. that will be the future home of Evolution Gastro Pong, now at 223 E. Chicago St., and a new restaurant.

Evolution's operator, Susanne Mayer, wants to change that building's storefront to better reflect the street's historic character and replace the rooftop patio with a "conservatory-style" glass structure, according to the plans.